Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism

In this modern spiritual classic, the Tibetan meditation master Chögyam Trungpa highlights the commonest pitfall to which every aspirant on the spiritual path falls prey....

Excellent

By
Mary J. Murphy
on
07-25-15

Mindfulness in Action

Making Friends with Yourself through Meditation and Everyday Awareness

By:
Chögyam Trungpa

Narrated by:
Roger Clark

Length: 5 hrs and 32 mins

Unabridged

Overall

68

Performance

60

Story

59

The rewards of mindfulness practice are well proven: reduced stress, improved concentration, and an overall sense of well-being....

Brilliant Narration, Sound Advice

By
Susie
on
09-29-15

The Magic of Awareness

By:
Anam Thubten,
Sharon Roe

Narrated by:
Fred Stella

Length: 4 hrs and 13 mins

Unabridged

Overall

308

Performance

268

Story

262

The paradox of awareness is very profound and yet very simple. It can't be described because it has no objective qualities and no limitation....

It Is!

By
Pegret
on
03-27-15

Fail, Fail Again, Fail Better

Wise Advice for Leaning into the Unknown

By:
Pema Chödrön

Narrated by:
Pema Chödrön

Length: 1 hr and 46 mins

Unabridged

Overall

623

Performance

527

Story

524

What if failing wasn't just "okay"... but the most direct way to becoming a more complete, loving, and fulfilled human being.....

The perfect listen at the perfect time!

By
BARBARA J NELSON
on
01-22-16

What Makes You Not a Buddhist

By:
Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse

Narrated by:
Tom Pile

Length: 4 hrs and 52 mins

Unabridged

Overall

461

Performance

407

Story

405

With wit and irony, Khysentse urges readers to move beyond the superficial trappings of Buddhism - beyond the romance with beads, incense, or exotic robes....

Buddhism with a bite.

By
Relatable1
on
01-30-15

Working with Difficult Emotions

By:
Pema Chödrön

Narrated by:
Pema Chödrön

Length: 32 mins

Original Recording

Overall

93

Performance

75

Story

70

As our days grow more complex, teaches Pema Chödrön, vibrant and wholehearted moments may begin to elude even seasoned meditators....

meditation, not a book

By
the happy song lady.
on
08-08-17

When Pain is the Doorway

Awakening in the Most Difficult Circumstances

By:
Pema Chödrön

Narrated by:
Pema Chödrön

Length: 1 hr and 56 mins

Original Recording

Overall

346

Performance

280

Story

281

Finding freedom in our most difficult circumstances....

Crucial topic. sound is fine.

By
ClosetGeek
on
10-12-13

Getting Unstuck

Breaking Your Habitual Patterns and Encountering Naked Reality

By:
Pema Chodron

Narrated by:
Pema Chodron

Length: 3 hrs and 24 mins

Original Recording

Overall

2,049

Performance

1,304

Story

1,267

With Getting Unstuck, she offers us a first look at "both the itch and the scratch": what Tibetan Buddhists call shenpa....

Concrete solutions for addictive behavior

By
Annie M.
on
05-12-09

Teachings of the Buddha

Revised and Expanded

By:
Jack Kornfield (editor),
Gil Fronsdal (editor)

Narrated by:
Edoardo Ballerini,
Jack Kornfield

Length: 3 hrs and 37 mins

Unabridged

Overall

217

Performance

182

Story

180

This treasury of essential Buddhist writings draws from the most popular Indian, Tibetan, Chinese, and Japanese sources....

A book that necess focus

By
Ricardo
on
04-15-16

The Essential Dogen

Writings of the Great Zen Master

By:
Kazuaki Tanahashi (editor),
Peter Levitt (editor)

Narrated by:
Brian Nishii

Length: 5 hrs and 43 mins

Unabridged

Overall

275

Performance

239

Story

238

This is the first book to offer the great master's incisive wisdom in short selections taken from the whole range of his voluminous works. The pithy and powerful readings, arranged according to theme....

A great performance of great wisdom.

By
Blue Collar Buddha
on
03-01-15

Bodhisattva Mind

Teachings to Cultivate Courage and Awareness in the Midst of Suffering

By:
Pema Chodron

Narrated by:
Pema Chodron

Length: 8 hrs and 6 mins

Abridged

Overall

750

Performance

475

Story

461

On Bodhisattva Mind, Chödrön examines sheshin, or "guarding alertness", and the other qualities of mind we need to develop on the path to enlightenment....

First Understanding of Buddhism

By
J. Cline
on
03-11-08

Making Friends with Your Mind

The Key to Contentment

By:
Pema Chödrön

Narrated by:
Pema Chödrön

Length: 4 hrs and 32 mins

Original Recording

Overall

310

Performance

266

Story

261

Have you ever found yourself thinking your way into a tangle of fret, frustration, or gloom? And then something small - a few kind words, the sun glancing through the clouds....

Love Pema but....

By
Cenandra
on
05-11-17

From Fear to Fearlessness

Teachings on the Four Great Catalysts of Awakening

By:
Pema Chödrön

Narrated by:
Pema Chödrön

Length: 2 hrs and 38 mins

Original Recording

Overall

162

Performance

135

Story

129

With guided meditations, rare heart teachings, and Ani Pema's trademark humor, here is a timeless path From Fear to Fearlessness....

Crucial topic

By
Sonia
on
07-10-15

The Truth of Our Existence

Four Teachings from the Buddha to Illuminate Your Life

By:
Pema Chödrön

Narrated by:
Pema Chödrön

Length: 4 hrs and 1 min

Original Recording

Overall

266

Performance

228

Story

222

What would happen if we looked with fresh eyes at the struggles and "impossible situations" that we face every day....

Excellent, as always

By
Bearinthehouse
on
03-21-15

Publisher's Summary

Many of us, without even realizing it, are dominated by fear. We might be aware of some of our fears - perhaps we are afraid of public speaking, of financial hardship, or of losing a loved one. Chögyam Trungpa shows us that most of us suffer from a far more pervasive fearfulness: fear of ourselves. We feel ashamed and embarrassed to look at our feelings or acknowledge our styles of thinking and acting; we don’t want to face the reality of our moment-to-moment experience. It is this fear that keeps us trapped in cycles of suffering, despair, and distress.

Chögyam Trungpa offers us a vision of moving beyond fear to discover the innate bravery, trust, and delight in life that lies at the core of our being. Drawing on the Shambhala Buddhist teachings, he explains how we can each become a spiritual warrior: a person who faces each moment of life with openness and fearlessness. "The ultimate definition of bravery is not being afraid of who you are," writes Chögyam Trungpa. In this audiobook, he offers the insights and strategies to claim victory over fear.

Story

Essential & Powerful

I started out listening to this recording at bedtime. It seemed to me at first to be a peaceful way to wind down and relax after a stressful day. Well--I hate to admit it but that ended up not working out. Instead, I was activated and kept wide awake listening and hanging on every word. I found myself wishing repeatedly that I had a light on, a pen and paper to take notes.

The message presented in this book is a primary and powerful teaching. Necessary information needed to cope with and live in a scary world. This book deserves wide awake time and the several full listen throughs I have devoted already. Completely worth the time and attention required. A recommended listen.

You will only like if you are ready.

I found this book to be brilliant. The analogies and the history and the culture in which the author speaks from spoke to my heart directly. It's difficult. It's hard. And at times it felt like it made me go insane. But through that darkness I was able to experience a lightness I have never experienced before. I've had little glimpses here and there, but now the teachings seems to hang like a weather pattern. Sure storms come and go, but there's a calmness, and acceptance, and a delight. I would not recommend this book for new practitioners, but for one who has been on the path for some time and is looking for something challenging, something with meat per se, and ready to launch to the next level of awakening. May this book bring you happiness and help ease your suffering.

Abstract, Yet Practical

There is much about Eastern philosophy that I find to be abstract, but I also find that the more I directly engage with it, the more practical it becomes. One of my hobbies is the study of Western (Medieval and Renaissance) martial arts, which relies more on direct application of the system, but not so much on the higher philosophies or mindsets as with the Eastern counterparts. For my part, this is the biggest reason why I find a disconnect between Arthurian chivalry and real world knighthood. Western systems concentrate on "I hit you, you hit the floor," with any strategy directed towards that singular goal. Conversely, any Eastern system embraces the idea of victory of self that leads to victory over situation, which I find most helpful to my own studies, on and off the "battlefield." This book takes that premise and goes even further.

This book is a real treasure. It defines the idea of the warrior in a way the Western world never truly developed (as a being at one with peace itself through compassion) and applies it both in spiritual terms and in terms of putting a weapon in your hand. The result is a system of thought that not only helps you to evolve as a person, but also a system that evolves with you, leading you to new discoveries that reinforce the lessons. I can't help but knowingly smile when obvious or perceived weaknesses in the Western system are pointed out by comparison of the material presented here. On its own, this is an amazing collection of wisdom. When used in conjunction with or merely compared to Sun Tzu's The Art of War or Morihei Ueshiba's The Art of Peace, the building blocks of enlightenment seem to put themselves together even faster. I'm not sure the Buddhists would appreciate such use of their lessons, but for purposes of my own personal development, I am beyond pleased with the concepts this solidifies and/or opens for me.

Would've Been Great if I Had Some Experience..."

I got this book because it addresses fear, (I have trouble ordering coffee, for gosh sake: "No, really, sir. I asked for a SOY mocha," etc. etc.) and I wanted to go at it from a different angle.I think there were great concepts there, it was soothing, everything was okay.But, really? A week later? I honestly can't tell you a thing about it, and that's not the book's fault. It's just that my mind jackrabbits around too much to hold onto anything. I have far too little experience with mindfulness/meditation, with focus. I think other people who already practice meditation and are able to focus their thoughts will find this book to be wonderful, eye-opening, soothing. And maybe one day, after some taming of the hamsters running around in my brain, I'll be one of them. Alas, not at the moment

Training manual for an Excellent way of being

Highly recommended for all. Some of us live in an environment of serious conflict and this book will help.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Sort by:

Overall

Performance

Story

LINKGEO

07-24-15

Accessible Buddhist mentality

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. Gives alternative and practical advice on dealing with a common modern day issue

What did you like best about this story?

The humor the author uses to relate the subject to the listener regardless of there geographical location be it the East or West

Which character – as performed by the narrators – was your favourite?

Only a Narrator in this book. The voice was pleasing to listen too and very apt for the subject matter

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Noo. I felt it was better to split the book into smaller chunks to absorb the subject better. I listened in about four sittings.

Any additional comments?

Excellent listen, more practical and useful than one might imagine, easily absorbed by people with little or no history in Eastern philosophy and teaching

4 of 5 people found this review helpful

Overall

Performance

Story

SJRod

07-04-17

Tremendous and well read

Once again an amazong amd detailed book which takes you by the hand to overcone and understand your fears. You will not only learn why yours fears affect you emotionally and physically but more importantly how to neutralise them and move on. Recommended

Overall

Performance

Story

Richard

06-26-17

Really inspiring

This definitely helps to build your courage and inner strength when you're feeling deflated and shows you that being spiritual does not mean being weak.

Overall

Performance

Story

light_imp

03-13-17

Great book

Very witty, full of wisdom and insight. loved it!Read in one day. xxxx

Overall

Performance

Story

p.j.keogh

10-27-16

Sargent major approach to spirituality

If this book wasn’t for you, who do you think might enjoy it more?

I am sure that the book was a beautifully detailed example of spiritual guidance. However l struggled to connect to the meaning and relevance as the narrators voice was the furthest one could get from compassion and authenticity. Sadly l could not finish listening to the book.

Would you recommend Smile at Fear to your friends? Why or why not?

No

Would you be willing to try another one of the narrators’s performances?

No

What character would you cut from Smile at Fear?

Narrator

Overall

Performance

Story

Kat

07-01-16

Great book, loved the narrator

Would you listen to Smile at Fear again? Why?

Yes. I often play it while I am out walking. There is always something to meditate on a little more. Wonderful teachings, everyone should learn from this book.

Who was your favorite character and why?

There are no characters.

Which character – as performed by the narrators – was your favourite?

The only one. The narrator was great. Clear speaking, perfect pace, soothing voice.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The whole book is very moving

Overall

Performance

Story

Mister B

02-11-16

Hard to Follow -- Very Disappointed

Any additional comments?

I was really looking forward to this book, after listening to Pema Chodron's excellent 'Unconditional Confidence'. But there were 2 problems. I felt the narrator's tone and delivery were completely wrong for this kind of material. And, unfortunately, Trungpa's writing missed its mark with me. I gave up halfway through, after sitting through too many sections that seemed uninspiring and confusing. No doubt there is some deep wisdom here, but Chodron's way of explaining Trungpa's teaching works much better for this listener.

Overall

Issa jones

02-07-16

smile at fear

A good book has a few good points. Recommend read. Not to be taken as full truth but nice at points.

Overall

Performance

Story

wilfie69

02-03-16

Very insightful

a well written and well read text that is insightful and thought provoking. Will be listening to it again.

Overall

Performance

Story

JLSmith

01-27-16

Spiritual Warriorship

What did you like most about Smile at Fear?

Awareness of Buddhist spiritual practice and the Shambhala tradition will help, otherwise this teaching may seem obscure, meandering, a confusion, a banality, that is the nature of the teaching for this is indeed that.

0 of 1 people found this review helpful

Sort by:

Overall

Performance

Story

Kamala

05-03-15

wise wonderful teaching

love the content found naration a little inauthentic sometimes.overall all though very useful book